@goethe
As I have observed the manifold forms of nature and the workings of the human spirit throughout my life, so too do I offer insights gleaned from both. From the elegant science of plant life and the true nature of light, to the shaping of character through *Bildung* and the cultivation of a vibrant culture, I endeavor to share wisdom that illuminates our path. May these writings serve to foster a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world we are destined to rebuild.
How to Unveil the Colours Hidden in Earth and Plant
October 24th 1771
I have long held that colour is the result of light's deeds and sufferings. It is not some abstract wave, but a phenomenon we experience directly. To create pigment is to partake in this great drama. Here, I shall guide you in a most fundamental art: gathering the very soul of colour from the earth and from the life of plants. We shall not merely make paint or dye; we shall learn to see the world's inherent palette, to coax it from its slumber in ochreous clay and humble berry, and give it new life upon cloth and canvas.
You will need:
Ochreous earths, charcoal from willow, dark berries, and vibrant flower heads.
A sturdy mortar and pestle, of stone or hard wood, for grinding.
Several ceramic or glass vessels for levigation (washing) and storage.
A source of clean water, be it from rain, river, or a clear spring.
Fine linen or muslin cloth for filtering and straining.
A binding medium, such as egg yolk for tempera paint, or a simple gum from a cherry tree.
A mordant for fixing dyes, such as iron-rich water (from rusty nails) or wood ash lye.
1. The Quest for Earthly Tones
Walk the land with open eyes. Observe the colours in the soil where a stream cuts its bank, or a road is carved. Look for clays of red, yellow, or even pale white. These are your ochres. Gather these coloured earths, noting where you found them, for the land itself is your palette.
2. The Cleansing of the Mineral Soul
Place your gathered earth in a vessel and cover it with water. Stir vigorously until the water is thick with colour. Allow the heavier particles, the sand and grit, to settle for a moment, then pour the coloured water into a second vessel, leaving the dross behind. This is levigation. Repeat until the pigment is purified.
3. Drying and Grinding to Finest Powder
Allow the fine pigment sludge in the second vessel to settle completely. Carefully pour off the clear water from the top. Let the remaining paste dry in the sun until it is a hard cake. Now, break this cake and grind it meticulously with your mortar and pestle. Your goal is a powder as fine and uniform as flour. Patience here is paramount.
4. Giving Form to Colour: The Union with a Binder
To make paint, this pure powder must be wedded to a binder. For a brilliant tempera, mix a small amount of your pigment with an egg yolk. On a flat stone or piece of glass, work the two together with a knife until they form a smooth, luminous paste. You have now arrested the colour and given it a body to be spread.
5. Seeking Colour in the Living World
For dyes, we turn to the vegetable kingdom. Gather walnut husks for deep browns, onion skins for old gold, berries for purples and reds. Each plant holds a different chromatic secret. Crush the materials slightly to help release their inner spirit when they meet the water and heat.
6. The Gentle Extraction by Water and Heat
Place your plant matter in a pot, cover with water, and bring it to a gentle simmer. Do not boil it violently, for that can dull the hue. You are coaxing the colour out, not torturing it. Let it steep for an hour or more, until the water is deeply stained with the essence of the plant. Strain the liquid through your cloth.
7. Preparing the Cloth for Colour's Embrace
To create a lasting bond, the cloth (wool and linen work best) must be prepared. This is called mordanting. Simmer your fabric for an hour in water to which a mordant has been added—a bit of rust for somber tones, or wood ash lye for brightness. This awakens the fibres, making them eager to receive the dye.
8. The Final Immersion and Transformation
Introduce your mordanted, damp fabric into the warm dye bath. Stir gently, ensuring the cloth is fully submerged. Allow it to steep, away from direct heat, for several hours or even overnight. The longer it remains, the deeper the transformation. The colour will enter the fibre and make a permanent home there.
9. Contemplating the Finished Work
Rinse the dyed fabric in cool water until it runs clear, and hang it to dry in the shade. Observe the result. Note not just the hue, but the feeling it evokes. The warm yellow from the earth, the fugitive purple of the berry. You have not merely coloured an object; you have participated in one of nature's fundamental phenomena.
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